New York 2008: Auto Alliance re-emphasizes focus on environment and safety

When the U.S. Congress passes or is about to pass some legislation relating to issues of automobile safety or vehicles' ecological impact, the Auto Alliance speaks up. Why do we only hear from the group on these issues? The Alliance's Charles Territo sat down with us at the New York Auto Show to explain how ten large automakers - BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes Benz USA, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen - work together. The short answer is that, when it comes to safer and cleaner driving, the industry can agree on what needs to happen: cars need to be, well, safer and cleaner. For example, the Alliance is hyper-excited for alternative fueled cars, which it defines as vehicles available today that don't rely exclusively on gasoline. In this case, that means hybrids, diesels and flexfuel cars. When it comes to specifics like which powertrain technology is best or which bodystyle to promote, well, that's where the companies fight and snipe, all trying to get your dollar. Give Territo a listen by pushing play in the widget below.

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